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More Multi-Ply Board Makers Explore Benefits of High-Consistency Forming High-consistency forming, based on Formflow technology, was first implemented commercially at a Finnish paper company in 1985. Today there are two [...]

Independent monitoring of CCTV footage inside England's slaughterhouses could cost between 150,000 £ and 370,00 £ a year, according to research. The details are included in a report --CCTV Monitoring [...]

Hybrid barley varieties have been performing exceptionally well this dry season with yields of more than 10t/ha in some parts of the UK. Northern Irish grower and arable Farmer Focus [...]

Delayed drilling this autumn will play a huge role in a Lincolnshire grower's constant battle to beat blackgrass. Daniel King achieved good blackgrass control this year after he held off [...]

Band spraying glyphosate between rows of oilseed rape drilled at wider spacings can be just as effective in controlling weeds as blanket spraying herbicide, according to new research. These are [...]

The huge variability in weather in recent seasons means establishing winter wheat correctly can boost crop yield potential by as much as 25%, according to Masstock figures. 'The effect of [...]

In the face of rising nitrogen costs, growers are being urged to adopt efficient techniques in fertiliser use if they want to benefit from continued high crop prices. Mark Tucker, [...]

A number of apps aimed specifically at arable growers have been launched in the last few weeks, effectively putting crop management tools and up-to-date market information in their pockets. Designed [...]

Grain maize is an effective spring break crop for Oxfordshire grower Mike Harper, who is now into his eighth season with the crop, with average gross margins of [pounds sterling]940/ha [...]

Oilseed rape crops are emerging from the winter with larger differences in canopy size than previous years, making it critical to get nitrogen and growth regulator inputs right this spring [...]

Reducing surface run-off to prevent nutrients and pesticides flowing into watercourses is becoming a big concern, especially with the recent pattern of wetter winters bringing increased flooding risk. The run-off [...]

Fresh fare from field and farmhouse is the aim for eggs and other produce sold in the farm shop at Knowes in East Lothian--and that maxim has held good for [...]

Stacking residual herbicides is a key new plank in a Lincolnshire grower's never-ending struggle to overcome blackgrass this autumn. The strategy, which will see both Crystal and Avadex applied in [...]

Rhizomania tolerance should be the first characteristic growers look for when selecting a sugar beet variety for the 2011 crop, according to experts. The disease needs to be taken seriously, [...]

Last year's Dickeya solani outbreaks were a distinct reminder of just how easily new pest or disease threats can emerge, and how serious they could potentially be for the UK's [...]

What was approved? * The Amflora potato, developed by BASF, which has been specifically designed to be used in the European potato starch industry. Europe produces about 2m tonnes of [...]

Pulse breeders exhibiting at Cereals said they are ready to meet an expected surge in demand after Defra confirmed that nitrogen-fixing crops such as beans and peas can be included [...]

A Kent-based gangmaster, who exposed Lithuanian migrant farm-workers to some of the 'most extreme exploitation' ever uncovered by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA), has withdrawn its appeal against a decision [...]

Scientists are to resume research into how the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus might mutate and spread among humans. A letter signed by a team of 40 scientists was published [...]

Scientists have cracked the genetic code of a Chinese cabbage variety of Brassica rapa, a close relative of oilseed rape, which could allow breeders to develop crops with better drought [...]

The best non-chemical strategy to control black-grass is to delay drilling until at least mid-October, according to Dick Neale, technical manager for Hutchinsons. But growers should drill late only where [...]

Products receiving a specific off-label approval for use in combinable crops, such as beans and oilseed rape, are helping mitigate the loss of key pesticides. David Martindale, an independent agronomist [...]

With increasing demand for soya, both in Britain and across the world, a UK company is seeking more people to sign up and grow the crop. David McNaughton, managing director [...]

Heavier kit brings an increased risk of soil compaction and research has shown that tramline wheelings can be responsible for as much as 80% of surface run-off from a field. [...]

* Asda has been accused of betraying British farmers by importing cheap turkeys from Brazil. The retailer shipped in more than 30,000 frozen birds from South America to meet demand [...]

The article features the 2010 Local Food Farmer award finalists in Great Britain. The key role of the farm shop Knowes Farm in Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland in the whole farming operation of Peter and Hilary Cochran is noted. A large demand for properly reared, high quality meat products is the basis of the Northfield Farm owned by former investment banker Jan McCourt. Woburn Country Foods of Haynes West End, Bedfordshire, England was established by pig farmer Andrew Davies in 2002.

The article offers Great Britain's farms news briefs as of December 2014. Topics discussed include alarming rise in farm fires in 2014 according to the National Farmers Union (NFU) Mutual, farmers in Great Britain targeted by fraudster and presents an obituary for Ben Gill, former president of National Farmers Union who died on May 7, 2014.

The article presents information on the efforts of Keith Challen, farm manager of the four farms that make up the 1,400 hectares (ha) Farmeco joint venture in Nottinghamshire, England, to establish a farming system that will cope with legislative challenges in the next 10 years and make a healthy return. He has implemented a controlled traffic farming (CTF) system whose success, according to him, depends on good management and innovation. It mentions his belief that he can grow Ability spring oilseed rape with lower inputs.

The winter of 2019-20 is heading to be one of the wettest on record since national records began, according to the Met Office. Since last autumn, persistent spells of powerful storms and heavy rainfall have brought widespread flooding to farms. Relentless rain, including two storms in two weeks, has left many farms under water and the UK Farming Roundtable says the flooding situation is "unprecedented". [Extracted from the article]

Farmers in northern England are being warned to expect further flooding this week with further heavy rainfall in the forecast. As of 3:15pm on Monday, there were two severe flood warnings for Ironbridge and Shrewsbury - meaning there is an immediate risk to life - 106 flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected - and 208 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible, in place. [Extracted from the article]

TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson has opened the doors to his new farm shop, selling "guaranteed non-organic" food grown on his farm. Writing on his Twitter page, he said the farm shop would be unheated and meat-free and only sell produce grown on his farm. [Extracted from the article]

Young farmer Caryl Hughes is the face of a new £250,000 campaign promoting Welsh beef and lamb. North Wales hill farmer Ms Hughes is fronting the Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales) campaign in response to recent criticism of the impact of agriculture on climate change. [Extracted from the article]

Dog attacks on livestock cost farmers £1.2m last year Livestock worth more than £1m was savaged by dogs last year, according to the latest figures from NFU Mutual. As lambing season approaches, NFU Mutual is calling for dog owners to ensure their pets are under control at all times when livestock are nearby and to report out-of-control dogs to a local farmer or the police. [Extracted from the article]

Organised criminal gangs are being blamed for a large rise in major fly-tipping incidents. Earlier this year, Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan said organised crime gangs linked to slavery, drugs and firearms were exploiting the waste industry in massive fraud and fly-tipping schemes. The spokesman added: "The Environment Agency is responsible for tackling large-scale illegal dumping incidents and is determined to make life hard for criminals by disrupting and stopping illegal activity through tough enforcement action and prosecution. [Extracted from the article]

Farmers and vets in England have welcomed the latest bovine TB figures which show a reduction in cattle slaughterings and new herd breakdowns. Ms Tomlinson, who is also a TB Advisory Service advisor and a member of the Bovine TB Eradication Advisory Group for England (TBEAG), added that continuing support and funding for both was essential to offer farmers the best advice. [Extracted from the article]

Farmers have been left counting the costs after hurricane-force winds and flooding hammered the country. Yorkshire Dales farmer Amanda Owen, known as the Yorkshire Shepherdess, uploaded a video on her Twitter page (@AmandaOwen8) of a cattle trailer being swept away in Swaledale, North Yorkshire. NFU vice-president Stuart Roberts urged people to "spare a thought" for farmers who are out looking after their animals in all conditions - regardless of the weather. [Extracted from the article]

Two-tier Brexit food standards system "unacceptable", NFUS warns Farmers will not accept a two-tier standards system that would see their businesses "sold down the river" by cheap food imports, the UK government has been told. The warning from NFU Scotland (NFUS) president Andrew McCornick came after Moray Conservative MP Douglas Ross was jeered by farmers for suggesting clear labelling should be enough to deter consumers from buying cheap food imports. [Extracted from the article]

The president of NFU Scotland (NFUS) has questioned the value of planting more trees on farmland as a solution to the climate crisis. Mr McCornick agreed that trees have a role to play, saying "the right tree in the right place, and not blanket afforestation, will play a part in climate change and carbon storage". [Extracted from the article]

Scottish farmers offered £40m to tackle climate change Scottish farmers and crofters are to benefit from £40m of initial government funding to help the industry meet its net-zero carbon ambitions. Mr Ewing said he was "giving farmers notice now", so they could also start thinking about how they plan to spend their first tranche of Less Favoured Area Support Scheme money, which is due by the end of March. [Extracted from the article]

Dozens of farmers in Cumbria have been left without access to mains water after a major supply pipe burst during Storm Ciara. Martin Padley, water service director at United Utilities, said teams were "working around the clock" to get this pipe repaired and water supplies back to normal. [Extracted from the article]

Livestock farmers are being urged to review their security after incidents of cattle being stolen from farm buildings. Police in Armagh are investigating the theft of 19 Limousin cattle from a farm in Battleford Road between 5pm on 18 January and 9.30am on 19 January. NFU Mutual has issued advice to help farmers keep their property secure. [Extracted from the article]

Man arrested over "occult" attacks on farm animals A man has been arrested in connection with "occult" attacks on sheep in the New Forest. A force spokesman said: "Officers investigating a number of sheep deaths in the New Forest have today arrested a man. [Extracted from the article]

Judges are set to probe the influence Boris Johnson's girlfriend, Carrie Symonds, had on the government's decision to reject the Derbyshire badger cull. Last year, Defra secretary Theresa Villiers ordered culling licensee Natural England to reject a farmer-led application to cull badgers in the county as part of plans to tackle bovine TB. An NFU spokesperson said the union had made absolutely no accusations against Ms Symonds and their main issue was that Ms Villiers ignored expert advice when she decided to reject the Derbyshire cull. [Extracted from the article]

A farmer was left horrified after illegal poachers killed a deer in a barbaric attack on arable land in Cambridgeshire. Farmer George Hurrell made the gruesome discovery of the deer's carcass on Friday morning (24 January) and alerted police. [Extracted from the article]

CCTV should be made compulsory in every abattoir in Wales to ensure that high standards of animal welfare are upheld, according to a group of assembly members. In September 2019, the animal rights group Animal Aid published allegations and video evidence obtained by covert filming within the Farmers Fresh slaughterhouse in Wrexham. [Extracted from the article]

The Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC) is a fantastic opportunity for farmers to unite and demonstrate the great conservation work they have been doing to encourage wildlife on their farms. West Sussex grower and AHDB Monitor Farmer Richard Chandler hosted a farm walk to explain the management practices he had undertaken at Moor Farm to benefit farmland birds. [Extracted from the article]

Syngenta is developing hybrid wheat that could be available in five years and provide a sustainable future for growing the crop in the UK. Rob Hiles, seed business sustainability lead at Syngenta, said: "Wheat is the last remaining global food crop which hasn't been hybridised. In essence you have had to completely transform the wheat crop from a self-pollinating crop to a cross-pollinating crop and it is incredibly complex. [Extracted from the article]

Prime minister Boris Johnson has promised Ugandan farmers they will have the opportunity to export their beef to the UK after Brexit. However, British farmers have reacted angrily to the PM's Ugandan beef pledge and questioned why the government would allow beef produced to lower standards to be imported here, undercutting their businesses after Brexit. Warwickshire beef farmer and AHDB Beef & Lamb chairman Adam Quinney said: "With a calving index of 58% and a calf loss of 30%, I should imagine the carbon footprint of Ugandan beef is terrible. [Extracted from the article]